Jeffrey Sirianni wrote:
>> "wcrabtre" <wcrabtre at capecod.net> wrote:
>> >I have severe hearing loss above 2000hz, dropping to 90db- at 3500hz.
> >Audiologist suggested Oticon Personic 430 bte. units. Audiologist has
> >doubts about this helping me because of the high output level needed. We
> >dug threw all the spec. sheets on different manufacture's units, to find
> >one with the right curve. The Oticon "Personic 430" came the closest.
> >Any ideas or opinion's? Please email me at < wcrabtre at capecod.net >or post
> >in group.
>> Steep high frequency sensorineural hearing losses are diffiicult to fit based
> on:
>> 1. Controlling feedback
> 2. Minimizing occlusion of one's voice
> 3. Benefit in high frequency regions
>> To control 1. and 2., I would recommend the use of earmolds that have good
> retention, but minimize occlusion of one's voice. I have tried the MCT
> (minimum contact technology) earmolds from Emtech on one of my patients
> who has a similar profile as you. After adjusting his prescription on his
> new programmable aids, he says the feedback is almost non-existant, and he
> can tolarate his voice.
>> In terms of benefit in the high frequency regions (3.), I have to think back
> to what my CFY supervisor once told me. She said "If you're suspicious about
> whether a person is getting benefit on one certain region, check functional
> gain the sound field". For one case I say, the person was getting a ton of
> real-ear gain at 3000 and 4000 Hz (about 40 dB), but almost no functional
> gain in these regions, plus a ton of feedback. We turned to the 2000 Hz,
> and found that he was getting plenty of real-ear and functional gain, even
> after turning the gain down to relieve feedback. His audiometric profile
> at 3000 Hz and above was not benefiting from any amount of real-ear gain.
> Instead of playing around with the prescription, I turned to counseling this
> patient about what I saw clinically and what he could expect from hearing
> aids based on his audiogram.
>> Question for the group.... Has anyone else used MCT-type earmolds and what do
> you feel about them?
>> Jeff
> --
> ***************************************************
> * Jeff Sirianni, M.A., CCC-A *
> * Sound Advice / R.G. Delaney, M.D. *
> * 710 Water Street / Suite 404 *
> * Kerrville, TX 78028 *
> * *
> * (210) 896-1433 *
> * (210) 896-1440 FAX *
> * *
> * audioman at hctc.net *
> * *
> * Discussion Leader of bionet.audiology Newsgroup *
> ***************************************************
Hi All,
I too have had some experience fitting Highfreq losses. The personic 430
does have some merit but 2 to 3 channel programmables are much more
flexible. Counseling the patient on realistic expectations is critical
IN ALL hearing aid fittings. I have had no experience with MCT but have
had success with other non-occluding earmolds.
Have a good day!
Eric J Stenersen, BC-HIS
Pocono Mountain Hearing Aid Service
East Stroudsburg, Pa
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/4119